DOH: ‘Proactive’ screening in place for Nipah virus
The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public on Wednesday that it is prepared for the Nipah virus (NiV) with the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) conducting continuous monitoring of the country’s airports and ports to guard against the possible entry of the disease.
In a statement, the DOH said that seasonal outbreaks of NiV have been reported in Bangladesh and India, with five confirmed cases in West Bengal while over 100 individuals considered as “close contacts” are being monitored.
“The discovery of confirmed cases of the Nipah Virus in humans at West Bengal, India, is a recent event that is being monitored globally. There are no international recommendations for restrictions in traveling,” it added.
While Philippine borders remain open, the DOH said the BOQ has been conducting “proactive border screening,” which include the completion of an online health declaration for departing passengers, as well as on-arrival thermal scanning and trained observation of arriving travelers.
The BOQ has also been distributing educational materials about the Nipah virus at “all points of entry” to provide travelers with information about the usual symptoms, modes of transmission and ways of preventing its spread.
“The DOH is prepared for the Nipah virus and other illnesses. In fact, the Nipah virus is not new to us. It was already seen back in 2014 in Sultan Kudarat, during which there were 17 cases,” the DOH said.
Infected horse meat
“Those who became ill got the virus from eating infected horse meat and by going near people who have the disease,” it added.
According to the DOH, the virus is a zoonotic disease, which means that it comes from animals, usually bats although it can also infect pigs and horses.
Among its symptoms are flu, headaches and difficulty with breathing, but there are also people who experience inflammation of the brain such as encephalitis and meningitis.
“After 2014, the Nipah virus was not seen again, and the DOH is continuously monitoring through its Epidemiology Bureau. Also in 2023, under the leadership of Sec. Teodoro Herbosa, updated guidelines in responding to the Nipah virus were released,” the DOH said.
To avoid contracting NiV, the public is advised to cook meat thoroughly before consumption, and to only buy products approved by the National Meat Inspection Service.
For the BOQ, a higher health literacy is also needed to prevent the entry and spread of illnesses, more than imposing travel restrictions.
“By focusing on teaching the public and ensuring that front-liners in airports and seaports are ready, the DOH BOQ, in coordination with other health agencies, is helping prevent the entry and spread of any potential illnesses,” it said.
There are no available vaccines or drugs specific for the virus but intensive support care is recommended for those suffering from severe respiratory and neurological complications, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a 2018 study, WHO said the zoonotic virus’ natural host are fruit bats and the virus may be transmitted not only through animal-contaminated food but also “directly between people.”
NiV was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia. Bangladesh has also had “nearly annual outbreaks” since 2001, and “periodically” in eastern India.
During consecutive outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, WHO said the most likely source of infection was “consumption of fruits or fruit products contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats.” —WITH A REPORT FROM KEITH CLORES
